Startled, she jumped and grasped her chest, turning to see the young worker whom Brett had stopped to talk to on his way to the sink. She had met some of the other mechanics in the past, but this one must’ve been hired sometime in the past year. “Oh goodness, you scared me.”

The young guy grinned. “Sorry about that.”

Yeah, he looked real sorry with that huge smile on his face. “It’s okay. I should’ve been paying closer attention to my surroundings.”

He motioned across the room to the sink where Brett was still standing. “I saw you staring. Were you waiting for Brett to help you with something? Because if so, I hate to tell you this, but he’s not on the clock today.”

“What do you mean? He’s right there.”

“Yep, but it’s his day off.”

Oh great. Now she felt like a real jerk for not paying him. “But what about the car he worked on early this morning?”

The young worker shook his head and waved his hand in the air. “That was just him helping out a buddy. Besides, I’m pretty sure he just wanted to get a look under the hood. It’s a sweet-ass ride.” She grinned with pride, but he must’ve thought it was the curse word that gave her that reaction because he followed up with, “Oh, sorry. Pardon my French.”

Sidney giggled. “I’ve heard the word ass before. Even used it a few times myself,” she said with a wink. “And you’re absolutely right. It is a sweet-ass ride.”

The worker laughed and nodded in agreement. “Are you sure there’s nothing I can do for you, miss?”

“No, I’ll just…wait around until I can have a word with Brett.” He couldn’t possibly ignore her—or wash his hands—forever.

“All right. But you better do it soon. He’s about to leave. Has some appointment later to look at a used car lot that went up for sale recently.”

Her head snapped up. “What in the world would Brett want with a used car lot?”

“He’s hoping to buy it and turn it into his new auto repair business.”

Her eyes widened. “Brett’s opening his own garage? Oh my God. That’s wonderful news!” He had told her about that particular dream of his a long time ago, but she hadn’t known he was actively trying to fulfill it. Good for him.

The worker nodded in confirmation. “Yeah, he’s working on it. But he’s still not sure he’ll qualify for the loan yet. I think he’s hesitating to fill out the forms.”

She gazed across the room and spotted Brett drying his hands off. “Really? Well, that’s…uh, interesting. I might be able to help him with that.”